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Cardiac Syndrome X ?

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Posted 3/13/2005 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I found an interesting bit of info today and thought I'd like to share it with you.  It talks about Angina and Cardiac Syndrome X...Let me know if you enjoy info like this! tongue Teri

 

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/syndromex.html

 

Posted 3/15/2005 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
GREAT JOB TERI!  yeah   Keep up the good work! yeah
Posted 3/15/2005 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone! tongue

 

Don't be shy here, feel free to bring up any heart disease topics that interest you, or that you or someone near and dear to you suffers from and wants a few answers re them!!

 

Big Texas Hugs, Teri

Posted 4/19/2005 4:42 AM (GMT 0)

Since I suffer from small vessel disease, otherwise known as microvascular disease, otherwise known as Syndrome X... tongue   I've decided to add a bit more here for others that may have this syndrome, especially women, which it seems it may be more common with...Teri :)

  • "Coronary syndrome X, or microvascular disease, is characterized by chest pain or ischemia without evidence of blockage in the large coronary arteries. Women are at higher risk than men for this condition. Syndrome X may be caused by the small blood vessels in the heart inadequately dilating. Postmenopausal women and women who have had surgical menopause are at risk for experiencing symptoms of syndrome X because their declining estrogen levels may have an impact on the small blood vessels in their hearts.

    Because this condition is a small vessel disease, it can't be seen on an angiogram (an x-ray with dye that identifies blockages in the blood vessels). Special imaging tests, such as PET scanning or MRI, may help with the diagnosis in the future. Today, however, syndrome X is usually a diagnosis of exclusion—meaning that you may be diagnosed with this condition after having tests performed that don't identify any other causes of the chest pain. Many women who experience syndrome X have no risk factors and are otherwise healthy.

    Medications commonly used to treat heart conditions may help to relieve pain caused by Syndrome X. The prognosis is generally excellent, but the symptoms can be debilitating."

    • http://www.healthywomen.org/content.cfm?L1=3&L2=39.0&L3=0&SS=0

    Posted 4/21/2005 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
    HeyTeri  I do believe I read rom one of my many dischage summaries thatmy cardio said I had Cardiac Syndrome --do youthink that is the same? 
    Posted 4/21/2005 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
    Absolutely, Star!

     

    And from the symptoms that you've shared with me re the SOB (shortness of breath), chest tightness/or pain, arm/shoulder pain, it is angina after all, so when they cannot find a large artery that's blocked and the culprit causing this...it's usually the smaller vessels, microvascular disease, otherwise known as

    Syndrome X. skull

     

    It is treated the same way, by using nitrates and med.'s like Imdur and others.  Beta blockers, Calcium blockers, sometimes even pain med.'s.  My Cardio told me that I might be a good candidate for the EECP treatments.  I explained that in another post...I'll bump it up.

     

    Big Hugs, Teri tongue

     

    Be Well!

    Posted 6/11/2005 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
    I wanted to bump this one up for a member to view...Hugs, Teri :)
    Posted 6/11/2005 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

    we need to kepthis one up top I know I have some small vessels blocked on top of my heart they told me last year during allmy cardio tests.

    Heidi

    Posted 6/11/2005 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
    Hi Teri ald all.

    I was told EECP would also be beneficial to me but this was back 7 months ago.  I contacted St. Luke's/THI and was told they no longer offer this as they had mixed results.

    I cannot find another place in the city that offers this.  Others too, I was told, have discontinued this.  Would love to hear from those that have had positive or negative results.

    Thanks

    Posted 6/11/2005 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
    Hmmmm, I'll have to ask my Cardio Dr. re this TexRose, as he just mentioned this to me about month or so ago...I've talked to people who've had this procedure done and the ones that I spoke to had pretty good success with it.  Though he's never brought it up again. :)

     

    Hugs, Teri tongue

    Posted 6/12/2005 1:57 AM (GMT 0)

     I am willing to try anything at this point.  I asked about Gene therapy and doc said they were doing this at St. Luke's with only so so results.  sad He does not think it will be perfected in my lifetime....

    Hubby bought me a GM SUV just so I could have Onstar in it...Only GM cars have this.  That last episode of A-FIB scard the living *&%^$%^$* out of me.  Next time...(AND I hope there will never be a next time) may have to have a pace maker...I am following right in my Mother's footsteps but 10 years sooner. sad

    Posted 6/12/2005 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
    TexStar, A-Fib is definitely not to be fooled with!  I'm sure you've probably already researched this?  If not, I'll be happy to point out some good sites.  I was told I had A-Fib and now they say no-same Dr.'s, too. :)  Perhaps they occurred from the bypass and now have settled down...

     

    Good luck and best wishes to you!!

    Hugs, Teri tongue

    Posted 6/14/2005 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
    Miss Teri my cardio told me I was NOT a candidate for EECP, I had only asked him because one of the cardio's that was on call for him said he thought I should talk to him about it-
    Posted 6/15/2005 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
    Perhaps, because this is sort of a last resort? I don't know...maybe they feel you can still be helped by other means. I hope this is the case, Star!! Hugs, Teri xoxoxo :)
    Posted 6/15/2005 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
    Interesting. I tested clear on the nuclear stress test, but I have had significantly more angina and arrhythmias since arriving at menopause in early '05. Otherwise, I have a free pass on menopause symptoms (((none))) .....but then, I'd probably trade those for these. Oh well.

    Rose, I still wonder if your A-fibs weren't the result of the drugs? Is the jury still out? I would try to avoid a pacemaker for as long as possible. Teri, haven't they been shown to cause or at least contribute to heart failure? I thought I saw some articles on that not too long ago.
    Posted 6/15/2005 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
    Re pacemakers - most of them are very beneficial and they've even come out with ones that actually help people with severe heart failure and help their hearts beat more efficiently.  We have a gentleman that sometimes visits us here that has one, and has noticed some improvement in his life.

     

    There could have been some news re pacemaker risks, I'm sure anything invasive poses several risks.

     

    I'm more concerned, Oona, with you saying you have more angina and yet a clear stress test?!  Have you ever had a heart cath done?  My husband wasn't having any symptoms other than some arrhythmias, but he tested positive on a stress test for a blockage.  He had a cath following that and it was shown that it was a false positive and his heart and coronary arteries are fine!  What worries me about what you said, is that your symptoms have increased.  Please take care!!

     

    Hugs, Teri tongue

    Posted 6/21/2005 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
    Teri I have recently been diagnosed with Cardiac X syndrome. We are still in the process of finding out what meds will work. I am beginning to get alittle discouraged, one day I will feel fine and the next I am having the pain and shortness of breath and unable to do too much.  I have all the classic test results, abnormal EKG, abnormal cardiolyte stress test and normal cardiac cath.  My question is this: Do you know of an online support group that addresses this syndrome? Thanks!

    Posted 6/22/2005 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
    Hi Vickie and Welcome to HealingWell!! yeah

     

    I don't know of any support groups that I could refer you to, however, that is what boards like this exist for-to offer support to others with similar symptoms!

     

    If this is not exactly what you are looking for, you may want to try contacting an American Heart Association Chapter in your local area.

     

    This is a very frustrating disease and I do understand, as I've been having continous angina for weeks now.  I'm on a .6 mg. patch of nitro.-I started just a couple of months ago with a .2 mg. patch and have gradually moved up.  Somedays, it doesn't feel like that's helping either.

     

    What I've been told is exactly what they've done for me when I was in the ER with these symptoms.  You need the nitro. Take it.  You need to rest.  Lay down.  Do you have anything that they've given you to help you relax?  You may want to discuss this part with your Dr.  I also try taking an acetaminophen or something similar.  All this generally does help and some days are just worse than others.  Remember to check first with your Dr. and see what he/or she recommends!!

     

    My Best Wishes to You and I hope this has helped,

    Hugs, Teri tongue

    Posted 6/22/2005 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
    Thanks for answering so quickly!
    I have been feeling really bad for the past 3 days. I have been taking the NTG SL when it gets really bad. And I have been told to rest, lie down, ect.
    They also have me taking Verlan PM. ( A calcuim channel blocker). I seem to feel good one day then bad for 3 or 4 days. I go back to the Doc on Friday, so hopefully we can try something else. Nitro does help me, so perhaps something continuous would be better.

    Am I always going to be limited in my activities because of this? confused

    It sounds like you have had a very difficult time. My internist is the one who has suggested this diagnosis. once the cardiologist that did my cath found out the the large vessels were clear, didn't have any suggestion except that I was having spasms of my esphagus.
    Posted 6/22/2005 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
    The calcium channel blocker actually helps aid with the angina, by widening the ateries as well.  Yes, I would strongly suggest asking about something more continuous, other SL Nitro if you are being bothered by this so much.  Though as my Dr. has warned me, your body builds up a tolerance for these med.s after awhile as well.  Imdur seems to be a med. that some people take?-you may want to ask about that.  All of this depends on your Blood Pressure and if you have a tendency for it to be real low.  Mine is, so that limits what I can take.

     

    Esophageal spasms can cause, or bring on symptoms such as this, too.  But then you'd need to discuss this with your internist, he would know best on this subject.  It would probably require you having a barrium swallow test...

     

    Good luck, Vickie and please keep me posted!! yeah

     

    Big Hugs, Teri tongue

    Posted 6/22/2005 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
    PS Vickie, the only limitations will be what your Dr. recommends!! I still moderate here, volunteer at a Pet Store, working with exotic birds, I clean house, but with help. :) I've also got a lot of other problems going on, too-so please discuss this with your Dr. He may set no limitations at all-just something you learn to live with.

    Best Wishes, Teri :)
    Posted 6/22/2005 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
    Thanks. I am going tomorrow, so hopefully we can decide what to do next.
    I need to put this is the Great Physician's hand. I know that He will lead me in the direction that I need to go.

    Thanks so much. I needed a place to know that there are others that have the same thing. That it is not in my head. Thanks again!
    Posted 6/22/2005 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
    Let us know what's going on, okay?? Hugs, Teri :)
    Posted 6/28/2005 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
    Vickie--You are asking the same questions I have been asking lately is this going to go on forever and I guess the answer is YES--much tomy dismay--I too continue to have good and bad days with sob and angina pain--my cardio has been switching my meds around (d/c'd Topral added a calcium channel blocker and now Lasix twice a day besides allthe other  meds)  I think the calcium channel blocker is contributing to what he thinks is extra fluid--I think I should go back to the orginal agenda but I pacify them all and try everything--  So keep dong your best hopefully your cardio will find a regime that works good for you--I think the only time I feel good is when I have a nitro drip running LOL!!

     

    Posted 6/28/2005 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
    Hi Star ~ I've certainly missed you!!  I keep hoping that one of us the next time we talk will be able to say we're doing great! lol

     

    Actually, I'm right in the middle of med. changes as well.  I think the bypass has helped me tremendously!  Still have down days, but I try and keep pushing.  I'm still working with the birds and getting ready to activate myself tongue with the Band Booster Club when high school starts up again!  I'm revving up my battery. ROFL

     

    I have an appt. with my PCP re all my med. changes tomorrow AM to see if he can sort out why they've kept me off my Zocor this long... nono

     

    I hope all your med. changes are helping and that they hit on the right ones soon!!  How is the left sided facial numbness??  Are you done with the therapy for that?!

     

    Hugs, Teri tongue

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